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Latest Outlook Predicts Increased Chances of Spring Flooding

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has released its second Spring Flood Outlook of the season. According to the report, the risk of flooding this spring has increased significantly since the first report was released on January 29th, due to continued snowfall, current river levels and high moisture levels in the soil.

The report states that flooding is most likely to occur from mid-March into late April, though weather activity and trends may change that. There is also an above normal risk of flooding caused by ice jams, which are not factored in to the spring flood outlook.

Locally, the South Skunk River near Oskaloosa is 66 percent more likely to reach flood stage this spring, with the outlook including an 85 percent chance of minor flooding, 60 percent chance of moderate flooding, and an 11 percent chance of major flooding. The Cedar Creek at Bussey is at a normal risk to reach flood stage this spring, but has only a 19 percent chance of experiencing minor flooding.